Preparing to Pitch Virtually
The Week 9 Public Speaking seminar was, as anyone one who was in class knows, very emotional for me. Speaking about why you started your business, especially when it comes from such a personal place, can be difficult to accomplish without a few tears. My classmates were very supportive, especially those who knew exactly where that emotion was coming from (thank you!). I learned the importance of telling a story that will connect with my audience emotionally and that practice will be extremely important before our final presentations in late August.
I also learned the importance of LAMBS (Lighting, Audio, Me, Background, and Internet connection Speed). Addressing each of these in advance will help us become better communicators and presenters. Our ability to control these environmental factors increases our audience’s engagement and perception of how well we are prepared. Of course, making eye contact is also vital and our presenter suggested thinking of the screen in 1/3s with our heads filling up 2/3s. I was watching the morning news today and as a doctor was being interviewed I said to myself “look in the camera!”.
I’m looking forward to practicing my presentation with my mentors and presenting in August, without too many tears. I wish all of my classmates the best in their presentation preparations and final pitches!
Jennifer Warren, Warren Advocacy